Retinol: The Secret to Younger, Brighter, and Healthier Skin

Skincare Benefits of Retinol – Why Is Retinol Good for Skin?

Retinol, you may have heard of it, you may even use it in your skincare routine or perhaps you have no idea why you should be using retinol at all. This is why I have decided to put together a simple explanation of what this wonder ingredient is good for and why you should be using it!

Why should I use retinol?

Retinol is extremely beneficial for the skin and more multitasking than a parent of three children! If you have concerns with your skin such as enlarged pores, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and texture to the skin. Believe it or not, retinol will fix all of that!

After using it for roughly 4 weeks you will see a huge difference to your skin, with a significate difference if you continue to use it religiously after 3 months. Your skin will feel firmer, look plumper and youthful. Fine lines and wrinkles will be ironed out with an all-over smoother appearance to the skin. Finally, any hyperpigmentation of the skin from any left-over sun damage or acne scarring will be noticeably reduced. Yes, it really is that good!

What is retinol?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A and by adding it to your skincare routine it will promote skin renewal. By giving skin renewal a helping hand you will find your skin has a healthy glow all year round as dead skin cells that have a tendency to linger on the surface of the skin giving it a dull, lack lustre appearance. Retinol is also able to penetrate its way down in the lower layers of the skin and aid collagen production, vital for keeping your skin looking youthful and healthy. The rate that collagen is produced begins to decline by the time we reach our 30s. As depressing as that may sound, retinol is a great first step to take with tackling this and the sooner you add it to your routine the more prevention benefits you’ll have! Other concerns such as sun damage will be significantly reduced, one thing to remember about sun damage is that you won’t be able to make it disappear completely but the pigmentation will become lighter in appearance and so less visible to the naked eye over time.

When should I use retinol?

There are a lot of contrasting opinions and information out there on the web, all regarding many things when it comes to retinol! The most common would be how using retinol during the day will in fact speed up premature aging and even cause the skin to become irritated and possible burning. This isn’t true and the only problem you may face with using retinol during the day is that sunlight diminishes the strength of retinol making it useless to apply! To really reap the benefits it’s best to use it in the evening before bed.

How do I use retinol?

Retinol is a complicated product, mainly because of the different levels of strengths available and the reactions it can cause to the skin if used too much. Here is the best way to introduce retinol into your routine without any irritation, burning or discomfort.

Start by choosing a low percentage of retinol, for example, 0.3%

For the first two weeks use it twice a week in the evenings

The following two weeks you can then use it every other night

For the weeks after this your skin is adjusted enough to use product every night

By now your skin is used to the retinol and so the level of percentage can be increased, building up to 0.5%, 0.6%, 1% and 2%

Following this routine is best if you wanted to introduce retinol without causing any reactions. It is one of the most confusing and complicated ingredients on the market, but once you understand a good starting point with using it, there’ll be no looking back!

Can I use retinol if I have spots?

Retinol is a very powerful ingredient, it has the ability to unclog pores, promotes skin renewal and aids cell turnover. All of these will benefit a blemish prone skin by allowing it to be at a healthy state and easier to maintain whilst battling any breakouts. If you follow the steps previously mentioned you will find any spots or blemish concerns will be significantly reduced.

Retinol will also help of you have any remaining hyperpigmentation left from acne scarring and after 3 months of use you will find the pigment appearing less visible to the naked eye.

All skin types will see a noticeable difference when using retinol, from the signs of ageing, sun damage, uneven skin texture and many more. If you are still concerned that retinol won’t work for your skin go and visit your GP or Dermatologist for professional advice.

If you are pregnant, breast feeding or taking a medication that cannot be taken with vitamin A you can’t use retinol in your routine.

Can I use AHA and BHA with retinol

There is a lot of contrasting information when it comes to using a liquid exfoliant, such as an AHA or a BHA whilst using retinol. Many claim that using both products will cause over exposure to the skin and cause uncomfortable reactions. Let me give you the peace of mind by telling you this isn’t the case. Both products work on different levels of the skin, retinol working down with the celluar movements in the lower levels of the skin and liquid exfoliants, such as AHA and BAH’s work hard at riding the face of dead skin cell build up on the upper layer. Due to the fact they are not battling against each other and over-exposing the skin to stripping formulas, they in fact become a power duo and work in conjunction with each other to make your skin healthy and glowing.

So there you have a summary of retinol, hopefully now you have a little more knowledge and understanding of this powerful (all though be it complicated) ingredient.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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